"We are the only country in history that ever deliberately changed its ethnic makeup, and history has few examples of 'diversity' creating a stable society." - Richard Lamm, former governor of Colorado

Tuesday, January 16, 2007

Wisconsin's rate of incarceration of young African American men was eighteen times that of young white men

In his upcoming proposed budget, Governor Doyle will propose the formation of a commission to look at the high rate of incarceration of African American men in Wisconsin.

The National Council on Crime and Delinquency reported Jan.12 Wisconsin's rate of incarceration of young African American men was eighteen times that of young white men. Nationally, only North Dakota and South Dakota had higher rates of incarceration of young black men.

Doyle said he wants Commission members to look for any discrimination in the workings of the criminal justice system which might help account for the disparity in the jailing and imprisonment of African American men.

But Doyle said he was also wants the Commission to look at whether risk factors for imprisonment, such as exposure to violence as a child or being a child victim, played a role in the African American incarceration rate.

Doyle said the experiences of African American men in the state's educational system should also be examined.

Roland Martin, editor of the nation's largest Black daily newspaper, Chicago Defender, praised Doyle's initiative and said the commission's work has the potential to steer scarce resources to specific areas of need.

Doyle said the cost of the commission and its make-up have yet to be determined.